A Stitch in Time Saves Nine, 1938 (colour litho)

Proverb meaning that it is better to spend a little time to solve a problem immediately rather than wait and put off seeking a solution; if you wait until later, the situation will get worse, and it will take much longer to deal with them; from a series of cigarette cards 'Up-to-Date Proverbs' issued by the Bocnal Tobacco Company, London; the golden age of cigarette cards was from the late 19th century until the Second World War and were immensely popular both as collector items and as a source of instruction, entertainment and amusement before the widespread use of television and radio;